Empowering the Next Generation

The Rebirth Arts team had the esteemed pleasure and opportunity to minister at the Girls with Purpose & Destiny Empowerment Conference this past weekend, hosted by Dale City Christian Church in Woodbridge, VA.

My team and I give God ALL the glory for this divine appointment and we cannot say thank you enough to Bishop Patrick Thomas, First Lady Cassandra Thomas, Deaconess Lashon Harris, the leaders of the D.I.V.A. Ministry, as well as all of those who worked behind the scenes for all of the honor and hospitality they showed us this weekend.

The conference was an amazing experience not only for the young ladies in attendance, but for the Rebirth Arts team as well.  Not only did I have the honor of ministering in dance, but I also had the opportunity to facilitate a workshop entitled - "My Body, My Temple: Healthy Eating and Healthy Living".  

With this post, I just wanted to share a few short clips with you from the workshop.  I pray that the Lord will speak to you through these moments in ministry . . . 

Just click the links below: 

God Has a Plan

God Desires to Bless You

The Journey

As we are now on the other side of our first Open House, I took a little time off to reflect on the journey of Rebirth, from the first leap a faith to the first Open House. God has done so much in a short amount of time and we are truly excited about what these "firsts" have put into motion.

Rebirth Arts was founded in 2011 and it's hard to believe that it has been three years since I stepped out on faith with God and trusted that He would bring to pass all the things He had been speaking to me and giving me visions about.  

I'm thankful for our very first client who pushed me out there with God and trusted me to birth choreography for them that allowed their dance ministry to launch into a new dimension that brought healing and restoration to their dancers. There are not enough words to express my thankfulness for them pulling out of me what God had destined to be expressed. 

As time progressed, I took another leap …… trusting God for students to teach in our studio classes. We started with one little Sweet Pea, who was just about 1.5 years old at the time.  By the end of our 2014 Summer Session … God increased us to 10 Sweet Peas and Minis (ages 3 to 5), as well as pre-teens, teenagers, and adults. 

Along with more students came staff members, an intern, and 7 dancers for the Rebirth Arts Dance Company. And as God increased the numbers, of course there came more assignments … speaking engagements, workshops, magazine interviews, photo shoots, and ministry engagements. 

I'm humbled and grateful for the journey to-date; however, I'm more excited about what God is going to do.  This is truly just the beginning and I'm expecting great, wondrous, overwhelming favor and miracles in the future for Rebirth Arts and all those who decide to Join The Movement with us!

So as I contemplate the next dive into the deep with God, I pray that you enjoy a few digital moments captured from our 2014 Summer Open House (all photo credits to David Warren).

Surrender!

Surrender is defined as … 

1. to yield (something) to the possession or power of another;deliver up possession of on
   demand or under duress: to surrender the fort to the enemy; to surrender the stolen goods
   to the police.
2. to give (oneself) up, as to the police.
3. to give (oneself) up to some influence, course, emotion, etc.: He surrendered himself to a life of hardship.
4. to give up, abandon, or relinquish (comfort, hope, etc.).
5. to yield or resign (an office, privilege, etc.) in favor of another.
6. to give oneself up, as into the power of another; submit or yield.

Oftentimes the picture we have of surrender is one of giving up. It is at the point where we are "at the end of our ropes". A place of being battered, bruised, and unable to move forward any further. That point in the journey where we've fought the fight of life, out of our own strength, and rationalize that victory is unattainable. 

However, when your surrender is to God, it supplies immense power and strength. It is exactly opposite of what the world would have us to believe surrender is about. Surrendering to God is about laying down your personal will and saying … "God I take on your will for my life and all that you desire for me to accomplish to glorify your name". 

We have the ultimate example of surrender in our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Do you really understand how much of God's unlimited, sovereign, and unstoppable power was released when Christ settled in His heart to do the will of the Father? Salvation, healing, deliverance, restoration, peace, love, joy, glory … and the list could go on. The beautiful thing is that by this one act, God allowed His very Spirit to be released into the Earth to help us make the same decision … to surrender to the will of God Almighty.

I have to make a very bold statement ……God doesn't just want your gift, He wants your life! He wants you to raise your white flag of surrender. Not because you are giving up, but because you recognize that you need God's supernatural power to work in your life. When we choose to surrender, God grants us access to everything that Heaven can supply. When we surrender our gifts and our lives to God, what He can do through us is limitless. 

Make the choice today to surrender and raise your white flag of victory. Never see surrendering as defeat ever again. 

Where is the Oil?

As I sat watching a popular reality t.v. show with my beautiful Mom, this statement was made. . . "Where is the Oil?" and it struck my spirit, so here goes . . . . . 

So . . . the funny thing is . . . as Believers, often times when someone calls out "Where is the Oil?" our first reaction is to go looking for the physical anointing oil.  However, in this instance, the search for the oil is one of a spiritual outpouring that is being sought.  It is the search for that intangible deposit of the anointing of God in a person's life and the release of that anointing as they go forward in ministry.

This type of oil can only be obtained by spending time in the presence of the King of Kings, living one's life striving for the holiness that is required for a pure anointing to rest on you, surrendering and consecrating your gift for God's use, and understanding how to step out of the disguise of performance into true ministry.

Don't get me wrong, the physical oil is necessary, but it should not be a substitute for the spiritual oil. The physical oil should be a representation and a reminder, to those who anoint themselves with it, of what God has already done in those private moments of our lives.

When you can stand operating out of the purity of your ministry gift, understanding the purpose of that gift, understanding how God can use it and move through you to minister to others, and desiring nothing more than to give God glory with your gift . . . . at that very moment, you will begin to pour out the spiritual oil (anointing) that's on your life.  At that moment, people will be able to see the conviction in your heart and know that you truly believe what you are singing about.  At that moment the words of the song that you interpret through dance become alive and have a spiritual impact on those who witness the ministry.

Know that God can use your artistic gift, whatever it might be, to minister to His people.  He can use your gift to deliver every spiritual gift . . . salvation, healing, deliverance, restoration, peace, love, etc. to those who have open hearts to receive you as you flow under the anointing of God that's on your life.  

Please be encouraged today to not take the importance of the spiritual oil for granted. It is great to have a talent and to perfect and disciple that talent, but ooooh how much greater is it to have the anointing of God on your life so that your talent then becomes ministry.

Popular vs. Prophetic

As ministers of the arts, we all come to the crossroads of having to make the decision to either follow the path of being POPULAR or PROPHETIC

When selecting the songs to sing for morning worship, when pondering the lyrics to the melody you are writing, when determining which song to dance to for the next special selection, when thinking about the next priceless moment you want to capture on canvas, or when considering the next character you are going to portray on stage you will have to decide in that moment -- "Do I want to be popular or do I want be prophetic?"

Popular: The road to being popular or seeking popularity is one that seeks after the approval of man.  It is the way of looking to others to validate you and celebrate you to find your worth. It is the way of doing things in your own strength and trying to please man, so that your efforts and striving gets you noticed and promoted.  In this place, you think that it is your connections, talents, and abilities that can get you to the top, when in reality, God has a more excellent way for you to travel to your wealthy place.  Trying to be popular takes a stance of "I got to grind" versus resting in God as you walk out the plan He has for your life.

Prophetic: The road to the prophetic or to operate in and declare the prophetic is to seek after God's approval alone.  It is the way of looking only to God to validate you, celebrate you, and raise you up in your ministry.  In the realm of being prophetic you are only looking to be moved by the Spirit of God and say and do only what the Spirit of God has inspired within you.  The way of the prophetic is to rely on the strength of God to accomplish anything that you set your hand to do and when you've been given success, the only thought that you have is to give God glory. Operating in the prophetic realm requires a posture of total surrender.

I want to encourage you with this post to seek after God in your ministry of the arts.  Ask God . . . "What is it that you want to say through me?" Settle in yourself that you want to only say what God says, go only where He tells you to go, and do only what He tells you to do.  As you endeavor to surrender more of yourself and your ministry to God, for His use, I promise you that you will start to experience growth, greater anointing, and more miraculous manifestations of God's glory.

Nameless

Somewhere along this journey of life with God, if we are truly desiring to be effectively used for His glory, we have to get to the point of saying … "I don't care if people applaud me or even know my name, as long as the Father is glorified!"

We have to get to a point in our walk with God and with our ministries that we take on the mind of Christ and accept the fact that in order for God to be totally glorified through us, we have to step out of the way and become "of no reputation".

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11 KJV)

Our goal should be selfless ministry and not to be in the spotlight or have our names in lights. Our focus should be on completing our ministry assignments with a joyful and greatful heart with everything within us, so that our Father in Heaven (God) is truly glorified. 

Yes, God uses each of us in mighty ways through our artistic gifts, but keep it all in perspective … it is of His "using us" that we are able to do what we do. It is by His gifting and anointing that we are able to affect the hearts and spirits of those who witness our artistic gifts. Always remember that without God backing you up, you could do nothing. 

Let's make sure that in our seeking to be used in ministry that we are seeking after the Father and not the benefits of being seen.  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. (Matthew 6:33 NLT) And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint. (Galatians 6:9 AMP)

I've settled in my heart that for Him … I will be nameless. Will you join me?

The Realm of Impossible

Over the past several weeks I've been feeling this shift in my spirit into the realm of impossible. You may ask … "What are you talking about?" … well let me explain. 

The realm of impossible is that place where all that you've dreamed about accomplishing feels a little out of your reach, but you determine within yourself that you are just going to step out on faith with God, knowing that with God all things are possible. So stepping over into the realm of impossible takes faith, courage, determination, and a desire to become all that God has destined you to be, without backing down.

Don't get it twisted … opposition will come. There will be challenges and situations to deal with in stepping out to accomplish all that you are dreaming of, but in this place of the "impossible" your faith in God has to be unshakable so that you can continue to move forward in spite of any opposition that might come. You have to believe without a shadow of a doubt that God is the only one that can manifest impossible things and you trust Him to do that in your life.

As I continue to walk out this dream of Rebirth Arts, renewing my mind with the word of God is a key part of the process.  Over the last week or so the Holy Spirit has been directly me back constantly to the Amplified version of Philippians 4:13:  I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].  I know this is just God's way of saying . . . . Trust me, I've got your back!

My prayer is that by sharing this with you, that it encourages you to believe that God can do all that He has promised to you and given you a desire for in your heart.  I hope that it gives you the push in your spirit to just . . . . jump all the way in with God.

So . . . . when you see me . . . . know that I've stepped over into the realm of impossible and I'm going after all that God has in store for me and Rebirth Arts.

A Grateful Heart

As I sat catching up with one of my sisters-in-Christ about her recent missions trip to Africa, I could not help but to begin to think how truly blessed we are and also about how many things we often unknowingly take for granted.

I began to think on some of the things that she shared:

• What if I had to walk for miles without shoes …
  
• What if I couldn't go to school because I lived in an area where no one wanted to come and teach …
  
• What if my family was so poor that they couldn't afford any of the basic necessities to sustain life (housing, food, water, clothing, etc.) …
  
• What if the only life I knew was one where I grew up in an orphanage, never truly becoming familiar with the touch of another human …

As a sat there becoming overwhelmed with God's love and grace I could not help but to think that I need to take the time be more aware and more grateful for all that God has blessed me with in my life, even the little things. My reflection began to put a lot of things in perspective.  It confirmed for me that the situations and challenges that we might face in life, although they may be difficult, could be even more difficult, challenging, and even life threatening.

I don't want to take for grated that I have a safe and secure place to rest my head; that there is running water when I turn the handle on the faucet; that God provides the financial means for me to be able to sustain life . . . . this list could go on and on.

I just want to encourage you with this post to take a few moments of your busy day to reflect and express your thankfulness to God about the "little things".  As you reflect, think that your "little things" could be something very big to someone else who has to live with out it.

                             

A Lifestyle of Worship

"Worship Cannot be Rehearsed" ~ Co-Pastor Elena Robertson

Worship is truly about the position of our hearts toward God and not about the outward displays that we typically associate with worship.  True worship is birthed out of your relationship with God and the steps that we've taken to truly surrender ourselves to be lead by the Spirit of God.  When we truly surrender to God and His plans for our lives, worship then becomes a lifestyle.

When worship becomes just the way that we operate on a daily basis, we will begin to notice greater displays of the "fruits of the Spirit" as mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23 (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) being manifested in our lives.  The deeper we take our relationship with God and desire to manifest the "fruits of the Spirit" the deeper our worship unto God will become.  

As we deepen our relationship with God, we become more and more aware of His free gift of grace and understand all the more how God steps in and makes up the difference for us in so many areas of our lives. As we gain this revelation, we can lift our hands in surrender and cry out to God in worship, because we are reminded of just how good God has been and all the things He has brought us through, shielded us from, and favored us with.

I encourage you today to take your relationship with God and your worship unto God to the next level. There is more that God desires to pour out upon your life; however, He is looking for those who want more of Him above all else.  These are the true worshipers (John 4:23-24 NLT).

Did I Go Left?

Many times in our walk with God we ask the question … Did I go left, when I should have gone right? At the heart of this question is the desire to know that we are operating in the will of God.

Rebirth Arts is one of the largest faith walks I've had the honor of taking with God to this point in my life. I find myself often in prayer seeking direction from God, by way of the Holy Spirit, to confirm that the decisions we make, the engagements we accept, the classes and workshops we offer, the staff we bring on board, etc. are in the will of God and what He desires for Rebirth Arts.  My hearts desire is to truly fulfill God's vision and do it with the very best of my ability, so that God can then do the supernatural. 

Even in my seeking, I've also found that there are just some steps that you have to take in faith, trusting God and knowing that He will meet you on the other side and won't let you fall. In those moments of truly stepping out on faith, I've experienced God's overwhelming presence as His way of confirming -- yes, you are exactly where you are supposed to be.

So, be encouraged, at those times in your life when you begin to question, did I go left and I should have gone right .… wait on the presence of God and the peace of God to comfort you and you will know without a doubt that you are exactly where God wants you to be.  Strive to dwell in His peace and all else will fall into place.  God has great plans for your life.  Continue to seek Him and trust His directions.

Every Moment …

It's truly time that we realize that God desires to be involved in every moment of our lives. There is nothing too small for which God is not concerned, when it comes to your life. Know that every joy, pain, disappointment, surprise, heartache, victory, deliverance, healing … God is in the midst of it. There is nothing about your life that takes God by surprise. There is nothing in your life that God didn't first allow. You may ask, why did God allow that heartache or disappointment to come. I would in return reply with a question … Are you still standing? God works everything and I mean everything for our good. If you are honest with yourself, I think you would have to admit that everything that has been a challenge in your life ending up being something that taught you a lesson, helped you to mature, and helped you come to the revelation that God truly designed you to be an overcomer.

So take this as a bit of encouragement … YOU ARE AN OVERCOMER! There is nothing that you cannot withstand when you do it with God by your side. When we face challenges, they should press us in closer to God. By pressing in closer to God, we grow in our faith and our relationships with Him. Don't grow weary, keeping pressing forward in God!

I had the honor of ministering at a 50th birthday celebration for a mighty Woman of God. The song selection was "Every Moment" by Forever Jones. If you have not heard this song, I urge you to look it up and take a few moments to listen to the lyrics. I know that it will be a blessing to you, just as it was to me.  I wanted to share this ministry experience with you, so check out this video.

Be Blessed!!

 

 

Stir Up the Gift . . .

The First Speaking Engagement

We were so truly blessed to be able to participate and facilitate a session at the In The Key of David - One Day Retreat with the theme of "Stir up The Gift" on Saturday - July 13, 2013.  There is no doubt in my mind that the Holy Spirit showed up to speak to the people of God and to show His power.  It was truly a supernatural experience that cannot be put into words.

In preparing for this engagement, I kept seeking God on what He wanted me to say and what He wanted me to teach.  Over a period of time God continued to drop things in my spirit to speak on, but I didn't receive any dance movements or choreography to teach.  As the days grew closer and closer, I kept checking in with God to see if the movement/choreography would come.  As I stood before the group that day I confessed the choreography never came.  So I went forth speaking on the things that the Lord had laid on my heart to share.  The topics included what it means to worship God, the call of the Levite (FYI: a blog post will be coming on this soon), and the things that are hindering us from going to the next level with God in our gifting and ministries.

Here are a few pictures from the event.  Once we have a chance to edit some of the video we will post it to our YouTube channel.

 


The next day the following questions settled in my spirit . . . .

We often cry out to God saying . . . "Stir up the Gift!".  But what is He really stirring up?  Have we allowed Him to deposit enough of His Spirit and His desires in us that when we are stirred what flows out is more of Him and less of us?

As ministers of the arts (i.e. dance, mime, music, voice, acting, art, etc.) we have to understand that it is critical for us to surrender our gifts and all that we are to God, so that He can develop us into the Men and Women of God that He desires for us to be.  We can no longer afford to hold anything back from God.  We need to make ourselves available for His use, at His direction.

I would challenge anyone that is reading this post, even if you are not a minister of the arts, to take a moment to reflect on those things that the Holy Spirit has been nudging you to do in order to take your walk with God and your ministry to the next level.  Once you've done that, purpose in your heart to accomplish those things, so that your life and your ministry can give God greater glory!